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Mr. Sedley was uncommon wild last night, sir, he whispered in confidence to Osborne, as the latter mounted the stair. He wanted to fight the ackney-coachman, sir. The Capting was obliged to bring him upstairs in his harms like a babby. A momentary smile flickered over Mr. Brushs features as he spoke; instantly, however, they relapsed into their usual unfathomable calm, as he flung open the drawing- room door, and announced Mr. Hosbin. How are you, Sedley? that young wag began, after surveying his victim. No bones broke? Theres a hackney-coachman downstairs with a black eye, and a tied-up head, vowing hell have the law of you. What do you meanlaw? Sedley faintly asked. For thrashing him last nightdidnt he, Dobbin? You hit out, sir, like Molyneux. The watchman says he never saw a fellow go down so straight. Ask Dobbin. You did have a round with the coachman, Captain Dobbin said, and showed plenty of fight too. And that fellow with the white coat at Vauxhall! How Jos drove at him! How the women screamed! By Jove, sir, it did my heart good to see you. I thought you civilians had no pluck; but Ill never get in your way when you are in your cups, Jos. I believe Im very terrible, when Im roused, ejaculated Jos from the sofa, and made a grimace so dreary and ludicrous, that the Captains politeness could restrain him no longer, and he and Osborne fired off a ringing volley of laughter. Osborne pursued his advantage pitilessly. He thought Jos a milksop. He had been revolving in his mind the marriage question pending between Jos and Rebecca, and was not over well pleased that a member of a family into which he, George Osborne, of the th, was going to marry, should make a mésalliance with a little nobody a little upstart governess. You hit, you poor old fellow! said Osborne. You terrible! Why, man, you couldnt standyou made everybody laugh in the Gardens, though you were crying yourself. You were maudlin, Jos. Dont you remember singing a song? A what? Jos asked. A sentimental song, and calling Rosa, Rebecca, whats her name, Amelias little friendyour dearest diddle- diddle-darling? And this ruthless young fellow, seizing hold of Dobbins hand, acted over the scene, to the horror of the original performer, and in spite of Dobbins good- natured entreaties to him to have mercy. Why should I spare him? Osborne said to his friends remonstrances, when they quitted the invalid, leaving him under the hands of Doctor Gollop. What the deuce right has he to give himself his patronizing airs, and make fools of us at Vauxhall? Whos this little schoolgirl that is ogling and making love to him? Hang it, the familys low enough already, without her. A governess is all very well, but Id rather have a lady for my sister-in-law. Im a liberal man; but Ive proper pride, and know my own station: let her know hers. And Ill take down that great hectoring Nabob, and prevent him from being made a greater fool than he is. Thats why I told him to look out, lest she brought an action against him. I suppose you know best, Dobbin said, though rather dubiously. You always were a Tory, and your familys one of the oldest in England. But Come and see the girls, and make love to Miss Sharp yourself, the lieutenant here interrupted his friend; but Captain Dobbin declined to join Osborne in his daily visit to the young ladies in Russell Square. As George walked down Southampton Row, from Holborn, he laughed as he saw, at the Sedley Mansion, in two different stories two heads on the look-out. |
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